Get to Know New Suns Signing Bol Bol
The Phoenix Suns' newest addition in PF/C Bol Bol has brought some great intrigue to an already stacked lineup, many of which expect to reach the NBA Finals next season.
Bol - a free agent signing from the Orlando Magic - offers great length for a Suns squad that doesn't have a wingspan under 6-8 and upside to eventually develop into something special.
That's been the selling point on him as a prospect, anyways.
For a bit deeper dive into Bol, we had the opportunity to speak with Jeremy Brener from The Magic Insider about who he is, and how he can potentially help the Suns both now and in the future.
1. Bol Bol brings a ton of intrigue as a project on Phoenix's bench. For those who don't know much about him, how would you sum up his game?
Brener: He's one of the flashiest highlight players ever. All the highlights you see of him going coast to coast (Bollercoaster!) are legit, but he's still got a lot to work on for his game, especially on the defensive side.
Apart from blocking shots, he doesn't bring much else defensively. It's what's holding him back from being a true mainstay in a rotation.
2. Bol had his best season in Orlando - what do you think contributed to that?
Brener: Health and opportunity. Bol has been injured consistently during his career and played behind Nikola Jokic in Denver. In Orlando, he didn't have that roadblock. Wendell Carter Jr., Jonathan Isaac and Paolo Banchero all had early season injuries, giving Bol an opportunity to start.
The Magic started the season 5-20. Orlando improved once Bol moved to the bench and other players, specifically Markelle Fultz and Cole Anthony, became healthy.
3. What do you believe is his potential/ceiling, and what is stopping him from reaching it?
Brener: He's such a unique player that his ceiling isn't something concrete. If a 7-3 player can become an above average spot up shooter and/or improve defensively, that sounds like the makings of an All-Star.
He lacks experience playing, both in college and the NBA, and doesn't have enough NBA mileage. Perhaps with some more seasoning, that can change. He simply needs to be more consistent.
4. Was Phoenix a good place for him to land?
Brener: I think Bol is going to learn a lot from Kevin Durant. Their bodies are so similar, and Durant has proven to be very durable over his career for the most part. Bol can't just magically turn into Durant; no one can. Fans shouldn't expect him to become KD-lite nor be surprised if this turns out to be a one-year stop in Bol's career.
The Suns added a lot of veteran players that have seen playoff action. Those are the ones who will round out the rotation in the playoffs. Bol Bol has to outplay a bunch of vets.
That being said, he'll have some opportunity as the player with the most upside among Phoenix's transactions.
5. The Suns lost a lot of charisma and energy off the bench. Is Bol that type of character?
Brener: Bol's charismatic but isn't a rah-rah guy necessarily. He may not be the loudest voice in the locker room, but he's a team-first guy and he'll be a good teammate in that regard, allowing the top dogs to cook and fulfilling his role as best he can.
